Closure



Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDGAR O. LOEBEB, OI CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, AS SIGNOB TO THE LOME COMPANY,

01' CLEVELAND, OHIO, CORPORATION 01 OHIO cLosuIm -Application filed October 31, 1929. Serial No. 403,691.

The present application relates, as indicated, to closures, and more particularly to dog-proof closures for garbage and trash cans. The primary object of the invention is to provide a closure for use with contalners, the closure being of such character that it can be removed from the container only-when a latch element is moved into proper position. A further object of the invention is to 1 provide a device of the character described which shall be unusually simple and inexpensive and yet which shall have an unusually eflicient operation. Further objects will appear as the description proceeds. To the ac- 15 complishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following an description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used. 25 In said annexed drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a container having a closure of my present invention applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of a closure constructed in accord ance with my invention; Fig. 3 is an elevation thereof; Figs. 4 and 5 are fragmental sections of details of construction; and Fig.

6 is a fragmental section of the latch mechanism forming a part of. my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawin it will be seen that I have shown a contalner 10 having a rolled edge forming an outwardly projecting flange 11 at its upper open end. The closure 12 of my invention 18 provided with a depending flange 13 ada ted to overlie and enclose the projection 11. aid flange 13 is provided at two or more spaced points with inwardly projecting lugs 14 adapted to engage under the flange 11.

At a point on the opposite side of the periphery of the flange 13 of the projections 14, said flange 13 is formed with an aperture 15, the vertical dimension of said aperture 7 being somewhat greater than the horizontal l0 dimension thereof. To the upper surface of the closure 12, and in line with the aperture 15, there is secured a block 16 having a tongue 17 projecting toward the periphery of the closure,said tongue being bent upwardly intermediate its ends and downwardly at its free end 18.- Preferably, the closure 12 is so formed that the end 18 of the tongue 17 may project below the upper level of a shoulder 19 formed on said closure 12.

A latch member 20 is formed at its one end 21 with an aperture adapted to receive the end 18 of the tongue 17, whereby the end 21 of the latch member 20 is hinged to the dos ure 12. Said latch member 20 is curved to clear the shoulder 22 of the closure 12, and the free end 23 of said latch member extends through the aperture from the outer to the inner side of the flange 13.

It will be noted that the width of the aperture 15 is less-than the'width of the latch member 20. The opposite edges-of the member are cut away as at 24 adjacent the end 23 thereof, thereby formin a pair of shoulders 25 somewhat removed f i'om the end 23 and another pair of oppositely facing shoulders 26 at member 20. In assembling the device, the latch member is turned to-such a position that the width thereof corresponds to the larger dimension of the aperture 15, and the shoulders 26 are inserted through said aperture. Thereafter, the latch member is rotated through 90 so that the shoulders 26 engage behind the flange 13 and intersect the same in a line extending transversely of the smaller dimension of the aperture 15. Thereafter, the tongue 17 is entered in the aperture in the end 21 of the latch member 20 and the block 16 is secured to the closure 12 through the medium of screws or bolts27.

Said screws serve also the function of securing to the block 16 a leaf spring 28 which projects outwardly toward the periphery of the closure, and the outer end 29 of which bears upon the latch member 20 to urge the same into the position of Fig. 6.

As will be seen, when the latch member 20 is in the position of Fig. 6, the-end 23 thereof is in such a position. as to engage the flange 11 of the container 10 in case it is ate extremity of the latch tempted to lift the closure 12 off of said container. In this position, the shoulders engage the outer surface of theflange 13 to preventfurther movement downwardly of the handle member 20. In case it is desired to remove the closure from the-container 10, the handle 20 is grasped and, by reason of the position of the same on the closure 12, the handle is rotated about its hinged connection with the tongue 17 until the shoulders 26 enage the inner surface of the flange 13, it;

ein understood that the spring 28 is of insucient strength to prevent such rotation of the latch member when the weight of the closure 12.is borne thereon. Such movement of the latch member moves the end.23 thereof out of interferin relation with the-flange 11, and the edge 0 the closure 12 to which the latch member 20 is secured is raised. Thereafter, the closure may be moved in such manner as to "release the engagement of the lugs 14 with the flange 11 so that the closure ma be bodily removed from the container.

f course it will beunderstood that, in place of the lugs 14 formed by indentation of the flange 13, as shown in Fig. 4, I may use a In 14 comprising a separate member spot wel ed or otherwise secured to the internal surface of the flange 13.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my Invention:

1. In combination with a receptacle having laterally projecting means at its open 'end, a closure having a depending flange adapted to overlie and enclose said projecting means, a latch carried bysaid closure and extending through said flange, and a spring in direct engagement with said latch and urging said latch into position to engage said projecting means to prevent removal .of said closure.

2. In combination with a receptacle having laterally projecting means at its open end, a closure having a depending flange adapted to overlie and enclose said projecting means, a handle pivoted to said closure and having a portion thereof extending through said flange, and a spring urging said portion into position to engage ,said projecting means,

the strength of said spring being insuflicient to hold said handle portion in engaging position when the weight of said closure is supported by said handle.

3. In combination with a receptacle having laterally projecting means at its open end, a closure having 0. depending flange adapted to overlie and enclose said projecting 4. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle closure having a depending flange formed with an aperture therein, a combined handle and latch having its one 'end pivoted to said closure and having its opposite end extending through-said aperture, said lastnamed end being formed with a shoulder engageable withthe external surface of said flange, and a spring urging said shoulder into engagement with said flange.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle closure having a depending flange formed with an aperture therein, a combined handle and latch having its one end pivoted to said closure and having its oppositeend extending through said aperture, said lastnamed end being formed with a shoulder engageiable with the external surface of said flange, a spring urging said shoulder into engagement with said flange, and means to prevent removal of said handle end from said aperture.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle closure having a depending flange formed with an aperture therein, a combined handle and latch having its one end pivoted to said closure and having its opposite end extending through said aperture, said lastnamed end being formed with a shoulder engageable with the external surface of said flange, a spring urging said shoulder into engagement with said flange, and a second shoulder on said handle end engageable with the internal surface of said flange.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a receptacle closure having a depending flange formed with an a erture therein, a combined handle and latch aving its one end pivoted.

to said closure and having its opposite end extending through said aperture, said lastnamed end being formed with a shoulder engageablewith the external surface of said flange, a spring urging said shoulder into engagement wit said flange, 'and a second shoulder on said handle end engageable with the internal surface of said flange, the strength of said spring being such as normally to hold said first-mentioned shoulder in engagement with the external surface of EDGAR O. LOEBER. 

